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Newport  Daily  News 


Its  History 


Its  Building 


Its  Personnel 


I  846  I  892 


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DAILY   NEWS  JOB   PRINT. 


THE  BEGINNING. 


THE  NEWPORT  DAILY 
NEWS  has  just  CL-lcl)r;itccl 
its  forty-sixth  hirthdav  aii- 
nivcrsarv,  the  first  issiu' 
bearing-  date  Mav  4,  1846. 
Previous  to  that  time  no 
—  attempt  iiad  het'ii  made  to 
estaljHsh  a  tlailv  papiT  in 
Newport,  and  the  new  venture  was  h)oked  upon  witii 
suspicion  and  cUstrust  l>y  many  of  the  citizens  of  tlu' 
conservative  ohl  town,  who  thought  t!ie  res]H'ctal)U', 
if  sonu'what  ponderous,  weekly  journal  of  their  fatiu-rs 
and  grandfathers  all-sufficient  for  their  own  neeils 
and  those  ot  their  I'hildren's  cliildren.  The\  were 
ske])tical,  and  ])erhaps  not  without  just  cause,  as  to 
the  success  of  the  enterprise,  and  gave  utterance  to 
manv  prophecies  of  dire  disaster  by  way  of  encour- 
agement   to    its    projectors.     Yet    tlie    movement    pros- 


ivi207687 


4  THE  BEGINNING 

pered  from  the  very  beg-innin<:j,  aiKl  the  paper  soon 
came  to  be  regarded  as  no  longer  an  experiment, 
and  to  liave  a  recognized  standing  in  the  commn- 
nitv.  Like  all  things  human  the  News  has  seen 
periods  of  prosperity  and  of  adversity,  l)ut  has  hap- 
pilv  surviv(_'tl  both.  Today  it  occupies  a  position  in 
the  citv  of  its  home,  and  enjovs  a  reputation  abroad, 
which  are  alike  gratifying  to  its  proprietor  and  work- 
ing force,  and  to  the  citizens  of  Newport  generally, 
and  which  make  it  a  credit  to  itself  and  to  the 
communitv  whose  generous  and  constant  support  has 
helped  so    largely    to    make    the    paper    what    it   is. 

The  founder  of  the  News,  and  for  some  three 
years  its  proprietor,  editor  and  business  manager, 
was  Orin  F.  Jackson,  well  remembered  by  the 
older  citizens  of  Newport.  Mr.  Jackson  was  of  a 
nerv^ous  tt'm]H'rament  and  energetic  nature,  whose 
restless  spirit  would  not  permit  him  long  to  rc/main 
in  one  place.  He  came  to  Newport  from  Connecti- 
cut a  stranger.  During  his  brief  stay  he  made  manv 
friends  and  jilaced  the  paper  of  his  creation  on  a  tirm 
and  permanent  foundation,  and  then,  instead  of  tarry- 
ing to  reap  the  fruit  of  liis   labors,  sold   the   establish- 


6  THE  BEGINNING 

iiuMit,  at  tliL'  tinii'  in  a  highly  prosperous  condition 
aiul  witli  cxcL'lk'nt  i)rospects  l)efore  it,  and  took  his 
(k'parturt-  as  siuUlcnlv  as  lie  had  conic.  Little  is 
known  ot  his  later  history,  save  the  tact  that  in  the 
tnHil)l()ns  times  on  the  Kansas  border  in  after  years 
he  was  numbered  among-  the  victims  of  those  early 
guerilla  conflicts,  whose  distant  muttering  foretold 
the  terrific  storm  rising  above  the  national  horizon. 
The  new  owners  of  the  paper,  who  succeeded  Mr. 
Jackson  in  1849  ^^mt'er  the  firm  name  of  Cranston 
&  Norman,  w^ere  Messrs.  William  H.  Cranston 
and  George  H.  Norman.  These  are  both  names 
long  and  well  known  in  the  annals  of  Newport,  and 
the  period  of  their  administration  marks  what  may 
l)e  called  the  high  tide  of  the  early  prosperity  of  tin- 
News.  Mr.  Cranston  was  not  the  least  noted  mem- 
i)er  of  a  family  long  prominent  in  the  city  anil 
State,  and  l)ut  recently  become  extinct.  After  his  con- 
nection witii  the  News  ceased,  he  was  a  leading  mem- 
ber of  tile  bar  for  many  years,  served  a  long  term  as 
Mayor,  and  w^as  in  otlier  ways  an  important  factor 
in  the  politics  and  ])rosperity  of  the  city.  Mr. 
Norman   is  still   well    known    in    Newport,   wlierc    his 


8  THE  BEGINNING 

sumiiuT  residence  is  one  of  tlie  most  substantial 
and  costly  among-  those  of  early  date,  as  a  large- 
minded  and  i>ul)lic-siiirited  citizen,  and  in  Boston, 
wliere  lie  makes  his  winter  iiome,  and  elsewhere, 
as  a  successful  l)usin(^'ss  man,  and  an  extensive 
liuilder  of  waterworks  in  manv  st'ctions  of  the  coun- 
try. Under  tiie  control  of  these  gentlemen  the  paper 
rapidly  became  an  influence  and  a  jjower  in  the 
comnunn'ty,  while  its  material  prosperity  was  no  less 
marked.  It  was  during  tlu-ir  proi)rictorship  that  the 
first  steam  power  press  ever  run  in  the  Statt-  was 
purchased,  the  Nkws  l)eing  jjrinted  upon  it  for  a 
full    score    of   years    thereafter. 

As  illustrating  the  characteristics  of  the  i)api'r  dur- 
ing this  ])eriod,  and  tlie  kintl  of  men  who  gave  it 
their  stamp  and  trademark,  an  article  printed  some 
years  since  in  the  New  York  Evening  Telegram 
may    he    cpiotcd  : 

"  l>oth  of  these  gentlenu'ii  were  men  of  decicK'd 
convictions  f)n  all  (|uestions  of  public  and  personal 
interest,  aiul  neither  of  them  v.\v\-  hesitateel  to  ex- 
press his  opinion  wlu'U  occasion  required.  Thev  did 
not   seek   success   by   catering   to    public   prejudices  or 


THE  BEGINNING  9 

apologizing  for  piihlic  weaknesses.  Froin  the  tirst 
their  administration  was  not  only  courageous,  but 
l)old,  audacious  and  sometimes  defiant.  Tiiese  fear- 
less methods,  including  something  of  what  may  be 
termed  personal  journalism,  often  gave  olfense  and 
aroused  ojjposition.  But  it  is  opposition  that  helps 
rather  than  hinders  the  success  of  a  newspaper. 
Men  scolded  and  sometimes  threatened,  but  they 
still  bought  or  borrowed  the  pa[)er  with  as  much 
regularity  as  they  ate  their  daily  breatl.  They  found 
in  the  editorial  and  local  columns  no  meaningless 
phrases,  but  many  articles  that  were  fearli'ss,  anil 
trenchant  discussions  of  home  affairs.  These  were 
put  forth  in  a  spirit  regardless  of  criticism  and  des- 
titute   of   fear   as    to    consequences. 

In  one  sense  the  paper  thus  conduc-tcd  was  not 
popular,  aiul  not  a  few  of  the  timid  and  disalTectcd 
crietl  out  against  it.  It  is  very  possil)le  that  some 
of  its  personal  discussions  were  not  contined  within 
the  ordinary  limits  of  newspaper  criticism,  but  they 
were  not  low  or  vulgar.  The  editorial  work  was 
chiefly  done  l)y  Mr.  Cranston,  who  was  often  asked 
to    retract    and    make   amends  ;    anil    it    is    said    that    lie 


lo  THE  BEGINNING 

was  never  asked  for  an  explanation  of  tliis  kind 
witliout  giving-  it.  But  the  free  lance  was  used 
in  the  latti-r  as  well  as  in  former  discussions. 
'Cranston's  apologies'  are  still  spoken  of  in  the 
community  as  literary  productions  not  to  be  for- 
gotten. Whoever  asked  for  one  antl  had  his  request 
granted  found  the  a]>ologv  worse  than  the  offense, 
and  even  to  this  dav  when  an  error  is  noted  and 
the  correction  dcsii'ed,  the  recjuest  is  often  accom- 
])anied  i)y  a  demiu'rer  against  an  'ajxdogv'  likt'  those 
of    tlie    ohlen    times." 

In  1856  Mkssrs.  Cranston  &  Normax  sold  the 
estal)iishnient  to  an  "association  of  L^eiitlemen,"  as 
tiiey  styled  themseh't'S  in  the  paper's  own  ad\'ertise- 
nient,  i)rol>al)l\-  with  no  intentioiiaUv  invidious  refer- 
ence to  theii"  |)redecessors  in  the  husiness.  The 
l)apc-i-  was  issued  in  the  name  ot  Mr.  joiix  MoHARi', 
who  was  i'nii)lo\n'd  as  ediioi-,  whih-  its  business 
managcnu'nt  was  in  the  hands  of  tlu'  hite  Dk.  Kben 
TOURJKK  of  tile  New  England  Conservatory  of  Music 
in  Boston,  who  was  lor  si\eral  years  a  resident  of 
Newport.  With  this  chaiiL^e  in  ownershii)  l)egan  a 
period    ot    tlecline,     which     continued    nearly    a    dozen 


12  THE  BEGINNINC 

years,  and  long-  survived  the  enervating  influence 
which  was  its  cause.  Co-operative  joiu'nalisni,  in 
the  nature  of  things  an  anomaly,  if  not  an  impossi- 
bility, was  no  more  successful  in  those  days  than  it 
has  proved  in  many  a  more  pretentious  instance 
since.  In  the  efforts  of  its  editor  and  manager  to 
conduct  its  affairs  in  accordance  with  the  varying 
ideas  of  its  numerous  owners,  the  paper  soon  lost 
the  vigor  of  tone  and  independence  of  spirit  which 
had  been  its  life,  and  with  them  its  hold  upon  the 
community.  Its  advertising  patronage  rapidly  dwin- 
dled and  largely  disappeared  ;  its  subscription  list 
grew  shorter  with  every  succeeding  week,  and  it  was 
not  long  before  the  paper  ceased  to  be  of  value  to 
itself  or  to  anybody  else.  Within  a  year  the  gentlemen 
associated  in  its  control  became  weary  of  their  ex- 
periment, and  the  News  passed  into  the  hands  of 
Mr.  George  T.  Hammond.  The  ebb  tide  which  had 
Ijegun  to  run  against  the  fortunes  of  the  paper  was  too 
strong,  however,  to  be  successfully  stemmed  at  once. 
During  the  years  in  which  Mr.  Hammond  retained 
its  ownership  he  succeeded,  perhaps,  in  "  holding  his 
own,"    but    he    was    never    able   to    do    much    better 


THE  BEG  IN  IN NG 


13 


than  that.  The  paper  struggled  along  with  varying 
fortunes,  receiving  slight  encouragement  from  the 
public  and  being  alile,  under  such  conditions,  to 
do     little     more    than    maintain    an    anxious    existence. 


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NEW  LIFE. 


THE  News  was  sold  in  1866  to  Micah  J. 
Talbot,  a  former  principal  of  East  Green- 
wich Academy,  and  at  that  time  Snperin- 
tendent  of  Pul)lic  Schools  in  Newport,  and 
Lucius  D.  Davis,  who  is  still  at  the  head  of  its 
editorial  staff.  At  the  end  of  a  year  Dr.  Talbot 
retired  from  the  ownership  of  the  paper,  disposing- 
of  his  interest  to  Mr.  T.  T.  Pitman,  its  present 
proprietor.  The  firm  of  Davis  &  Pitman  continued 
in  existence  for  a  score  of  years,  and  l)ecame  as 
closely  identified  with  the  Daily  News  in  the  minds 
of  a  later  g-eneration  as  had  l)een  that  of  Cranston 
&  Norman  in  earlier  days.  In  1887  Mr.  Pitman 
purchased  tin-  interest  of  his  partner  in  the  l)usiness, 
and  thus  became,  as  he  still  continues,  the  sole 
proprietor  of  the  pai)er.  Mr.  Davis,  however,  as 
editor-in-chief,  still  maintains  his  connection  with  the 
sheet  with  which  his  name  has  been  so  long  insep- 
arably   associated. 


i6  NEW  LIFE 

Under  the  present  administration,  beginning  vir- 
tually with  the  accession  to  its  ownership  of  MESSRS. 
Talbot  &  Davis  in  1866,  the  News  entered  at  once 
upon  a  fresh  career  of  prosperity,  which  has  con- 
tinued unl)roken  until  the  present.  Its  subscription 
lists  slowly  but  steadily  increased  in  length  ;  its 
advertising  columns  were  more  and  more  freely 
patronized,  and  step  by  step  it  became  possil)le  to 
add  to  the  plant  of  the  estal)lishment  those  modern 
and  approved  appliances  and  facilities  for  gathering 
and  distributing  the  news  which  have  become  essen- 
tial to  a  live  journal  of  today.  In  many  instances 
these  forward  movements  have  been  made  in  ad- 
vance of  any  apparent  demand  for  them,  and 
against  the  jutlgment  of  more  conservative  minds 
which  could  see  no  necessity  for  a  change  of  old 
methods,  and  only  tinancial  failure  as  a  result  of  the 
adoption  of  the  new.  But  the  result  has  invariably 
justified  the  undertaking,  and  vindicated  the  business 
enterprise  and  foresight  which  prompted  the  venture. 
Nor  has  the  growth  of  the  paper  been  solely,  or 
even  noticeably,  in  these  directions.  The  increase  in 
the    amount,    variety,    freshness     and    quality     of     the 


PAPER  ROOM. 


1 8  NEIV  LIFE 

matter  furnislicil  its  readers  has  kept  even  pace  with 
its  material  advancement,  through  the  constant  addi- 
tion of  new  departments  and  the  enhirgement  and 
extension  of  the  old.  Long  since,  too,  tlie  News 
regained,  and  still  enjoys  in  increased  measure, 
that  influence  in  the  community,  as  a  leader, 
moulder,  and  exponent  of  pid)lic  opinion,  which 
marked  its  earlier  successes.  Mr.  Davis,  its  editor, 
is  a  gentleman  of  culture  and  experience,  thr)roughly 
indentified  with  all  the  interests  of  the  city,  a  writer 
upon  varietl  and  diverse  topics  of  much  grace  of 
style  and  facility  in  expression,  and  a  pul^Iic-spirited 
citizen  whose  views  command  the  attention  and  re- 
spect if  not  always  the  entire  endorsement  of  the 
community.  During  the  long  jK'riod  of  his  editorial 
control,  covering  a  full  ([uarter  cniitury,  Mr.  D.WIS 
has  imparted  to  the  News  an  individuality,  a  i)er- 
sonality,  almost  distinctively  its  own,  and  has  ren- 
dered a  service  at  the  editorial  desk-  which,  cou|)letl 
with  that  of  Mr.  Pitman  in  the  business  office,  has 
given  the  paper  the  sure  footing  upon  which  it  now 
stands.  The  managenient  has  always  recognized 
faithful   service,   and  the  tenure  of  office  in  the  estal)- 


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20 


NEW  LIFE 


lishment  is  practically  continuous.  There  are  several 
members  of  the  force,  numbering  about  fifty  people, 
who  have  spent  the  greater  part  of  their  lives  in 
the  service  of  the  paper,  and  are  held  in  the  highest 
esteem  by  their  employer. 


THE  PAPER. 


THE  Newport  Daily  News  is  an  eig-ht  page 
quarto  sheet,  30  x  43  inches,  folded  and 
trimmed,  but  not  pasted,  and  sold  at  two 
cents  a  copy.  Its  several  departments  are 
each  well  maintained  and  carefully  conducted  in  the 
interests  of  its  patrons.  Its  telegraphic  service  is 
full  and  complete,  giving  each  afternoon  the  history 
of  the  preceding  twenty-four  hours.  The  News  re- 
ceives daily,  over  its  private  wire  running  direct  to 
its  editorial  rooms,  the  despatches  of  the  Associated 
Press.  These  are  supplemented  by  special  despatches 
regarding  matters  of  more  than  usual  local  interest 
from  correspondents  in  neighboring  cities.  During 
the  session  of  the  General  Assembly  the  News  re- 
ceives daily  by  wire  from  its  Providence  correspond- 
ent an  abstract  of  the  most  important  business 
transacted,  together  with  such  matters  as  relate  more 
especially    to    the    interests    of    Newport.     In    addition, 


22  THE  PAPER 

it  prints  each  afternoon  several  columns  of  tele- 
grapliic  matter  carefully  selected  from  tiie  morning 
despatches  to  the  Associated  Press,  thus  completing 
its  record  of  the  day's  doings  abroad.  This  is  by 
far  the  most  complete  and  satisfactory  telegraphic 
service  at  the  command  of  the  citizens  of  Newport. 
The  Daily  News  aims  to  be  pre-eminently  a  local 
paper,  to  represent  the  life  and  varied  interests  of 
the  community,  to  be  a  paper  of  the  people  and 
for  the  people  of  Newport.  Special  attention  is 
therefore  given  to  its  local  department,  and  the 
field  is  covered  with  a  completeness  and  minuteness 
equalled   by   few   dailies. 


THE  CITY. 


THE  peculiar  characteristics  of  Newport  as 
the  ciiief  watering  place  in  America,  the 
summer  home  of  many  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished and  prominent  people  of  the 
country,  and  the  centre  of  a  vast  social  intfuence, 
make  what  is  termed  society  news  and  gossip  a 
marked  feature  of  the  local  columns  of  the  News. 
During  the  six  months  of  the  "season" — for  in 
Newport,  unlike  other  summer  resorts,  that  very 
elastic  term  covers  full  half  the  year — no  chronicle 
of  events  would  be  complete,  or  in  any  degree 
adequate,  which  did  not  give  a  large  measure  of  its 
space  to  the  daily  life  of  the  summer  residents.  In 
July  and  August,  when  the  whirl  of  gayety  reaches 
its  height,  and  luncheons  and  afternoon  teas,  dinners 
and  receptions,  balls  and  hops  and  dances,  polo  and 
tennis  and  the  "  hunt,"  l)athing  and  driving  ami 
yachting  and  walking  succeed  each  other  witli  be- 
wildering rapidity,    the   News  furnishes  each  afternoon 


24  THE  CITY 

a  detailed  and  accurate  history  of  the  preceding 
twenty-four  hours,  each  day's  picture  forming-  a  part 
in  the  shifting  panorama  of  the  summer's  story. 
This  six  weeks'  mad  rush  is  the  least  representative, 
and  to  all  concerned,  perhaps,  the  least  enjoyable 
portion  of  Newport's  season.  The  more  quiet  and 
placid,  if  less  exciting,  life  of  the  two  months  which 
precede  and  the  two  or  three  which  follow  this 
period,  and  which  constitute  the  real  "  season " 
that  has  given  Newport  her  distinctive  character 
among  summer  resorts,  finds,  also,  a  faithful  repro- 
duction in  the  News.  And  throughout  the  year  the 
movements,  whether  at  home  or  in  foreign  lands, 
of  those  who  come  to  Newport  for  the  summer 
are  carefully  followed  and  duly  noted  for  the  infor- 
mation of  their  friends  and  fellows.  Newport,  too, 
is  the  seat  of  three  of  the  important  naval  stations 
of  the  government,  the  Torpedo  Station,  War  Col- 
lege and  Training  School  for  Apprentices;  and  is 
also  the  site  of  Fort  Adams,  one  of  the  i^rincipal 
fortiiications  of  the  country.  The  K^cation  within  its 
limits  of  these  government  stations  brings  to  New- 
port  as    permanent    residents    a    considerable    number 


26  THE  CITY 

of  officers  and  their  families.  Army  and  navy  news 
from  the  entire  country  and,  indeed,  from  all  over 
the  world,  becomes  as  a  consequence  a  matter  of 
extended  local  interest,  and  is  accordingly  given  full 
treatment  in  the  columns  of  the  paper.  The  News 
lias  for  years  made  these  departments  prominent 
features  of  its  local  work,  having  been  among  the 
first  to  give  them  special  attention,  and  has  devel- 
oped and  cultivated  them  so  largelv  and  with  so 
great  success  as  to  call  into  being  many  followers, 
though   few   rivals,   along   these   lines. 

Newport,  because  of  its  peculiar  natural  attractions, 
is  selected  during  the  course  of  every  year  as  the 
place  of  meeting  of  many  and  all  sorts  of  conven- 
tions and  assemblies,  political,  religious  and  social  in 
character.  These  are  all  fully  and  at  the  same 
time  concisely  reported  by  the  News.  The  paper  also 
gives  a  large  measure  of  attention  to  theatrical  and 
musical  entertainments,  and  to  all  social  events  of 
local    interest. 

The  proceedings  of  the  City  Council  and  the  woi'k 
of  all  the  various  l)ranches  of  the  nnnuci])al  govern- 
ment  are   fully  and  accurately   treated   by   members  of 


28  THE  CITY 

the  staff  qualified  for  the  task  by  long  experience 
and  familiarity  with  the  city's  business.  Articles 
more  especially  literary  in  character  and  bearing 
iijjon  topics  of  local  interest  have  l)een  in  the 
past  and  continue  to  be  made  prominent  features 
of  the  paper.  The  entire  local  field,  in  brief,  as  to 
matters  l)oth  great  and  small,  is  covered  with  a 
care  and  a  thoroughness  which  make  the  News  pre- 
eminently   the    local    pa])er    of    tln'    city. 

The  miscellany  of  the  News  has  long  heen  noted, 
both  at  home  and  abroad,  for  its  high  character  and 
uniform  excellence.  The  selections  are  largely  from 
original  soui'ces,  and  arc  fresh  and  timeh'.  Its  re- 
views of  new  books  antl  magazines,  literary,  musical 
and  dramatic  notes,  personals  ami  bric-a-brac  are  in 
competent  charge,  special  care  l)eiug  taken  to  print 
only  the  best  and  the  newest  in  all  these  depart- 
ments, so  essential  in  the  making  of  a  complete 
modern  daily.  The  colunni  headetl  "  Seasonal)le 
Notes,"  is  in  the  hands  of  a  pleasing  writer,  and 
has    become    an    attractive    feature    of   the    paper. 


JOHN  G.   COSTELLO,  Reportbh 
FRED  M.    HAMMETT, 

Managing  Editor. 
H.   B.   WOOD,  Court  Reporter. 


JOHN  GILPIN,  Reporter 
L.  D.   DAVIS,  Editor. 
T     F.    HANNIGAN, 

Telegraph  Operator. 


ISAAC  KIR  BY,  Prov.  Correspondent. 
B.  F.  THURSTON,  Special  Reporter 
A.  W.   LUTHER, 

Jamestown  Correspondent 


INFLUENCE. 

IN     politics    the    News    occupies    an     independent 
position,    owning    allegiance    to    no   party    or    per- 
son,   and    holding   itself    free    to    praise    or    con- 
demn   each    and    all    as    occasion    may    demand. 
It    has    l.een    for    a    score    or    more    of    years,     how- 
ever,   an    earnest   and    unfaltering   advocate    of  a   freer 
trade    and    a    material    modification    of    the    system     of 
tariff    taxation     put    forth     by     the     Republican     Party. 
This    position    it    was    among    the   first   of   Republican 
newspapers     in     New     England    to     take    and    maintain 
before     its     readers.      The    News    has    and     expresses 
opinions    on    public    questions,     though    in    the    words 
of   die    article   already   quoted,   "  its  chief  mission   is  to 
meet  the  demand    for    a    home    organ    representing   to 
the    world    the    fairest    and    most   attractive    city    in     the 
Union."     On   all   questions    of    local   interest  the    Daily 
News    is   on    the   side   of   progress   and   improvement. 
It    has     been     the     unfaltering    advocate   of    advanced 


30  INFL  UENCE 

sanitary  measures,  such  as  the  introduction  of  water ; 
the  adoption  of  a  plan  of  sewerage  ;  the  laying  out 
of  new  streets  and  avenues  ;  the  advancement  of  the 
piililic  scliools,  and  whatever  else  is  intended  to 
make  the  City  enjoyal)le  and  prosperous.  Largely 
through  its  influence  the  people,  wlio  are  proverb- 
ially slow  to  change  their  hahils  of  thought  and 
action,  have  been  brought  to  make  outlays  of  money 
and  !ai)or  tiiat  seemed  to  many  extravagant,  l)ut  which 
have  already  i)aid  for  themselves  many  times  over. 
In  tliis  direction,  though  avoiding  tenilencies  to  ex- 
travagant expenditure,  it  has  been  and  is  of  great 
service    to    the   community. 

The  Daily  News  has  had  upon  its  etlitorial  staff, 
during  (lie  ])eriod  of  its  present  management,  sev- 
eral gentlemen  of  experience  and  markeil  success  in 
other  tields  of  labor.  Among  these  are  MR.  JOHN 
P.  Sanuorn,  now  for  many  years  proprietor  anil 
editor  of  the  Newport  Mercury,  Mk.  J.  K.  Chamber- 
I.TN,  connected  at  various  times  with  tiie  I'ditorial 
tlepartments  of  the  Chicago  Times,  Boston  Rt'ct)rd 
and  Advertiser,  anil  at  presi'ut  "The  Listener"  of 
the    Boston    Transcript;    and    Mr.    Fred    PerrY    Pow- 


32 


I  NFL  UENCE 


ERS,  later  a  member  of  the  editorial  staff  of  the 
Chicago  Times  and  afterwards  its  Washington  editor, 
now  editor  and  a  large  owner  of  the  Armv  and 
Navy    Register. 


WEEKLY  EDITION. 


A  FIRST-CLASS  weekly,  the  Newport  Jour- 
nal, was  established  by  MESSRS.  Davis  & 
Pitman  in  1867,  and  has  since  been  pub- 
lished in  connection  with  the  Daily  News. 
The  Journal  has  won  a  liberal  patronage,  from  the 
nature  of  the  case,  largely  outside  of  Newport  proper. 
Very  many  people  who  read  the  Daily  during  the 
season  at  Newport,  receive  the  Journal  regularly 
at  their  winter  homes.  The  paper  also  makes 
weekly  visits  to  many  of  those  who  live  for  longer 
or  shorter  periods  abroad,  enabling  them  to  main- 
tain their  acquaintance  with  life  in  the  chief  of 
American  summer  resorts.  The  sons  and  daughters 
of  Newport,  who  have  goiu'  out  and  achieved  fame 
and  fortune  in  other  cities  tiiroughout  the  land — and 
they  are  many  in  numl)er — revivtf  each  week,  through 
reading  the  columns  of  the  Journal,  their  memories 
of   the    old    home   from     which     none    strav    so    far    as 


34 


WEEKL  Y  EDITION 


to  cease  to  love  it.  Made  up  from  the  best  local 
and  general  matter  contained  in  the  week's  issues  of 
the  Daily  News,  the  Journal  is  able  to  furnish  a 
nuicii  'greater  amount  of  reading  than  could  be 
afforded  had  it  no  daily  paper  upon  which  to  draw. 
A  local  event,  to  which  but  a  few  lines  might  be 
devoted  if  type  were  specially  set,  is  given  in  the 
Journal  with  all  the  fullness  with  which  it  was  re- 
ported by  the  News.  Thus  readers  in  distant  cities 
are  supplied  witli  just  the  local  information  they 
desire,  and  read  precisely  the  same  account  as  do 
members    of    their   families    still    living   in    Newport. 


CHARLES  S.    PACKER,   Clerk  T.    T.    PITMAN, 

THOMAS  F.    KELLEY,   Foreman  Proprietor 

EMMANUEL  J.   RODERICK,  Assist.  Foreman, 


W.    S    BROWNELL,  Bookkeeper. 
W,  O    MILNE,  Foreman  Job  Office. 
JOHN  F  ADAMS,  Eng'rand  Pressman. 


THE  BUILDING  AND  PLANT. 


REFERENCE  has  already  been  made  to 
the  extensive  and  complete  plant  of  the 
News  establishment.  A  brief  description, 
somewhat  in  detail,  is  given  of  its  sev- 
eral features.  In  May,  1879,  ^^e  home  of  the 
paper  was  established  in  its  present  location  until 
then  familiarly  known  as  the  Swinburne  Block.  The 
paper  had  long  outgrown  its  former  place  on 
Church  street,  and  its  publishers  had  been  looking 
for  a  suitable  site  on  the  principal  business  thor- 
oughfare of  the  citv.  The  Swinburne  Ijuilding  was 
selected  as  tlie  l)est  for  the  purpose,  and  the  man- 
agement was  then  confident,  and  is  more  than 
ever  certain  as  tlie  result  of  experience,  tliat  toi' 
the  needs  no  lietter  choice  conld  have  been  made, 
and  the  location  could  not  be  improved.  Though 
fitted  expressly,  at  the  time  of  its  purchase,  to  meet 
the    wants    of    the    paper,    many    changes  and  improve- 


36 


THE  BUILDING   AND   PLANT 


ments  have  been  suggested  by  the  experience  of  a 
dozen  years.  Today,  as  a  result  of  constant  en- 
largements and  adaptations  to  the  developing  needs 
of  the  business,  the  Daily  News  building  is  a 
model  of  its  kind,  though  tliere  are  strong  indica- 
tions that  at  no  distant  day  the  rapidly  increasing 
business  of  the  establishment  will  have  largely 
outgrown   its    ample    limits. 

Nearly  the  entire 
building,  three 
stories  in  height, 
is  occupied  l)y 
the  various  de- 
partments of  the 
New.s  establish- 
ment, and  a  force 
of  nearly  hftv  peo- 
ple is  emploved. 
Of  three  stores 
wliit-li  ()ceii])v  the 
front  ot  the  lower 
ei-  tlonr  that  in 
the  middle  is 
PRIVATE  OFFICE.— From  u   unting  Room. 


38  THE   BUILDING   AND  PLANT 

used  as  the  counting  room  of  the  News.  This 
room,  which  measures  15  by  -},2,  feet,  is  fitted  in  the 
most  (.omph'te  anil  convenient  manner.  It  has  a 
handsome  wainscoting  of  ash,  and  the  walls  are 
of  neutral  tint,  with  wide  frieze  in  rich  design.  All 
the  wood  work  in  the  room,  wliich  is  of  ash  selected 
witii  great  care,  is  well  finished.  The  coun- 
ter, with  desks  for  the  l)Ook  keeper  and  two  clerks, 
was  made  from  special  plans,  and  for  conven- 
ience, nicetv  of  finish  and  beauty  of  design  will 
comiKire  favoralilv  with  anything  of  tiie  kind  in  tlie 
citv.  Two  massive  and  ornamental  cases,  eacli  spe- 
cially fitted  for  its  purpose,  are  used  for  keeping  in 
convenient  form  for  ready  reference  the  boiuid  files 
of  the  Nkws,  and  loose  copies  of  issues  of  both 
dailv  and  weekly  of  recent  date.  Standing  desks  ami 
reading  tal)les  for  tlu-  conveiuence  of  tlu'  jmlilic  are 
])laced  against  the  walls,  and  a  luuulsome  time  piece, 
an  elevator  and  speaking  tubes  communicating  with 
the  ujiper  stories  of  the  binlding,  a  telephone  and 
toilet  facilitii-s  are  among  the  conveniences  which  go 
to    make    this    a    first-class    modern    newspaper   office. 


40 


THE  BUILDING   AND  PLANT 

Directly  in  rt-ar 
of  tlu'  couiitiiiy 
room  is  i\\v  \)\'\- 
atc  ofiicc  of  Mr. 
IMlMAX.  This  is 
a  small  but  richly 
littcil  room,  lit^ht- 
cd  from  above. 
Its  walls  arc  lin- 
ishctl  with  cherry, 
bt'autifullv  pan- 
eled in  si)ecial  dc- 
si,n"ns,  while  the 
larye  desk  and 
slulvin!^'  above 
are  of  the  same 
wood  and  similar 


INTERIOR  OF  PRIVATE  OFFICE. 


work.  Here  are  speaking-  tnbes  running  to  all  parts 
of  the  building-,  and  many  other  conveniences. 
Handsome  furniture  aids  in  making  this  one  of  the 
most  elegant  and  cosy  offices  to  be  found  in  Newport. 
In  the  rear  of  the  building  is  the  press  and  engine 
room,    well    lighted,    and    ceiled    with   spruce.     Some- 


42  THE  BUILDING   AND  PLANT 

what  irregular  in  shape  this  room  occupies  the  entire 
remainder  of  the  h3\ver  tioor,  together  with  n  hirg'e 
story  and  a  lialt  addition  l)uilt  to  accommodate  the 
engine  and  sluifting.  The  main  engine  is  of  ample 
])ower  to  drive  all  the  machinery  in  the  building. 
A  larger  bdiler  than  is  necessary  to  give  power  to 
the  engini'  is  used  in  order  to  supply  steam  to  the 
radiators  which  heat  the  entire  building.  A  sec- 
ondary f)r  reserve  engine  and  boiler  of  less 
power  are  in  constant  readiness  for  immediate  use 
in  case  of  emergency.  In  this  room  may  be  seen 
in  operation  daily  the  fast  doidjle-cylinder  Hoe  press 
witii  Dt'xter  folders  attached,  recently  added  to  the 
equipment  of  the  News,  which  is  capable  of  print- 
ing and  delivering  folded  and  trimmed,  ready  for 
the  carriers  or  for  mailing,  nearly  4,000  copies  of  the 
paper  an  hour.  By  its  side  stands  the  two-rev^olution 
Cottrell  press,  with  folder,  which  assists  in  working 
off  the    editions    of    the    paper. 

The  entire  second  floor  of  the  l)uilding,  with  the 
exception  of  one  room  rented  as  a  law  office,  is 
given  up  to  the  job  printing  establishment.  The 
equipment    of    this    department    is    remarkable    for    its 


44  THE  BUILDING   AND   PLAN! 

extent  and  completeness,  being  equalled  probably  by 
that  of  few  offices  of  its  size  in  the  country.  Here 
mav  be  found  a  cylinder  press,  three  platen  presses 
and  a  poster  i)ress  of  the  Washington  pattern,  a 
steam,  self-clamping  paper  cutter,  card  cutter,  binder, 
or  binding  machine,  perforating  machine  and  block- 
ing press,  besides  an  imusual  amount  and  variety  of 
the  newest  styles  of  type.  A  room  opening  from 
the  main  office  has  been  fitted  expressly  for  the 
storing  of  the  large  quantities  of  paper  and  card 
stock   necessary   for   the   business. 

The  third  story  is  occupied  by  the  editorial  and 
composing  departments.  The  type-setting  room  takes 
the  north  side  of  this  floor  from  front  to  back,  to- 
gether with  a  large  portion  of  the  rear.  From  it  an 
elevator  carries  the  forms,  when  ready,  to  the  press- 
room on  the  first  floor.  Opening  from  the  compos- 
ing room,  and  also  into  the  editorial  office,  is  a 
small  room  exclusively  for  the  use  of  the  proof- 
reader. Directly  at  the  head  of  the  staircase,  and 
adjoining  both  the  composing  and  proofreader's 
riKiius  oil  tlu'  front  of  the  l)uilding  is  tiie  editorial 
office,     l6     l)y      13,     supplied     with     a     huge    and     well- 


THE  BUILDING   AND  PLANT  45 

selected  library  of  reference.  Between  this  and  the 
composing  room,  and  opening-  into  l)oth,  runs  an 
elevator  to  the  counting  room  l)elovv.  Adjoining  the 
editorial  office  a  smaller  room  is  given  up  to  the 
use  of  the  stat^'  of  local  reporters.  This  room  is 
furnished  with  a  special  telephone,  distinct  from  that 
on  the  tirst  floor,  and  like  the  editorial  and  com- 
posing rooms,  communicates  with  other  parts  of  the 
building  by  speaking  tubes.  The  remaining  room 
on  the  street  front  is  fitted  for  the  use  of  the  spe- 
cial telegraphic  operator  serving  the  News,  and  is 
also  occupied  l)y  Mr.  Davis  as  a  private  office.  In 
the  rear  of  the  building,  across  the  hall,  are  dress- 
ing rooms  specially  for  the  convenience  of  the 
women  compositors.  These  rooms  afford  pleasant 
views  of  the  inner  and  outer  harbors.  Above  is  the 
room  devoted  to  making  illustrations  of  local  events, 
which  appear  in  the  News  as  occasion  requires.  This 
is  in  charge  of  a  competent  man  who  devotes  his 
entire  service  on  the  paper  to  this  work.  There  is 
also  a  large  attic  with  ample  space  for  storage,  and 
rooms  for  any  special  use  that  may  arise.  From 
the   roof   of   the   building    the    view    of    the    city    and 


46 


777^  BUILDING   AND  PLANT 


harbor,  of  land  and  water,  is  superb,  sweeping  far 
out  to  sea  in  one  direction  and  extending  up  the 
liav  in  the  other.  Topping  all  rises  from  the  roof- 
peak  a  staff  from  which  on  gala  days  and  occasions 
of  special  note  float  proudly  the  stars  and  stripes  of 
the    national  ensien. 


Opinions  of  the  Press. 


Few  papers  in  New  England  maintain  uniformly  so  high  a  standard  of  char- 
acter, and  to  this  fact  the  great  success  of  the  News  is  largely  due. — [New  Bed- 
ford Mercury. 

Somewhat  after  date,  the  Newport  News  has  celebrated  its  forty-si.xth  birth- 
day by  issuing  a  finely  printed  and  illustrated  supplement,  historical  and 
descriptive,  with  the  News  for  its  subject.  In  many  of  the  interior  views, 
well  known  members  of  the  News  staff  appear  as  they  are  hard  at  work.  The 
paper  is  a  fine  one  and  deserves  forty-si.x  years  more  of  success. — [Providence 
News. 

The  News  is  a  fearless,  honorable,  able  and  useful  independent  newspaper, 
and  Newport  is  fortunate  in  such  a  champion.  That  it  is,  like  its  class  every- 
where, prosperous  and  respected,  while  the  cowardly  neutral  and  selfish  organ 
weaklings  are  being  forced  to  the  rear,  is  not  a  matter  of  surprise.  The  news- 
paper visitor  to  the  family,  like  the  individual,  is  expected  to  say  something  of 
interest  occasionally.  And  above  all,  it  must  be  honest  and  courageous  to  be 
welcomed  where  truth  and  knowledge  is  sought. — [Woonsocket  Reporter. 

It  has  come  to  occupy  the  front  rank  among  the  daily  newspapers  of  the 
state. — [Westerly  Tribune. 

For  nearly  half  a  century  the  News  has  been  a  daily  visitor  at  Newport 
homes,  during  which  time  it  has  more  than  quadrupled  its  circulation  and 
taken  rank  first  among  suburban  dailies. — [Newport  Enterprise. 

Prosperity  due  to  enterprise  and  careful  attention  to  the  wants  of  its  readers. 
— [Providence  Journal. 

The  leading  paper  of  that  favorite  seaside  resort. — [Brockton  Enterprise. 

Always  a  good  and  influential  newspaper,  was  never  better  than  now. — 
[Providence  Dispatch. 

The  bright  and  newsy  pages  of  the  Newport  News  are  more  attractive  than 
ever. —  [Boston  Record. 

Has  well  earned  the  popularity  and  confidence  it  enjoys.  It  is  an  honest, 
independent  newspaper. — [New  London  Telegraph. 

An  entirely  new  dress,  which  is  one  of  the  best  fitting  and  appropriate  that 
could  be  secured. — [New  York  Herald. 


48  PA' ESS  NOTICES. 

One  of  the  most  prosperous  newspapers  in  Rhode  Island  and  ime  of  the  most 
enterprising.— IPawtucket  Times. 

Is  among  the  best  looking  of  our  exchanges,  and  is  a  paper  of  exceptional 
ability.— [New  Bedford  Mercury. 

Is  independent  in  politics,  consequently  is  one  of  our  most  valued  exchanges. 
—  IPawtuxet  Valley  (ileaner. 

An  important  factor  in  the  i^rosperity  of  the  city  by  the  sea.— [Pawtucket 
Gazette  and  Chronicle. 

That  bright  paper,  the  Newport  News. — [Boston  Daily  Globe. 

A  well  edited  journal,  displaying  industry,  judgment  and  ability,  and  is  one 
of  the  most  agreeable  of  our  exchanges.— [Boston  Gazette. 

The  News  is  the  fairest  newspaper  in  the  state  (present  company  always 
excepted),  and  is  as  enterprising  as  it  is  fair.  It  deserves  to  be  bought  and 
read  by  all  Newporters,  and  all  who  care  about  Newport.  What  a  world-wide 
circulation  that  would  give  it,  by  the  way !— [Providence  Telegram. 

The  Newport  News  is  the  oldest,  as  it  is  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  success- 
ful of  the  independent  newspapers  of  New  England.— [Woonsocket  Reporter. 

The  News  has  always  been  a  good  newspaper,  and  deserves  the  success  it 
has  won.— [Boston  Herald. 

One  of  Rhode  Island's  leading  newspapers. — [Fall  River  Globe. 

The  enterprising  Newport  News. — [Fall  River  Daily  Globe. 

The  Newport  News,  one  of  the  very  best  newspapers  that  we  know  any- 
thing about,  seems  to  be  on  the  top  wave.  *****  The  paper  deserves 
its  prosperity.     More  success  to  it. -[Westerly  Tribune. 

The  Reporter  has  noted  with  interest  and  pleasure  the  improvements  made 
in  the  past  few  years  by  the  News— enlargement,  new  press,  now  to  be  supple- 
mented by  a  faster  one,  first-class  telegraphic  service,  etc.  Added  to  these  are 
its  editorial  and  typographical  excellencies,  which  make  our  friend  at  the  other 
end  of  the  state  worthy  of  the  liberal  support  accorded  to  it. — [Woonsocket 
Reporter. 

It  is  a  progressive  paper,  exceptionally  able  in  its  editorial  department,  and 
we  do  not  wonder  that  all  the  people  of  Newport  read  it  every  day — -[New 
Bedford  Mercury. 

The  News  is  one  of  the  best  papers  in  the  state.— [Pawtucket  Tribune. 


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